Disclaimer: This information is intended to help you understand your treatment. Always discuss your health and treatment plan with your doctor or nurse, who can answer your specific questions.
At a Glance: Quick Facts about Paclitaxel
- Generic Name: Paclitaxel
- Brand Name(s): The original formulation of paclitaxel is Taxol®. Paclitaxel is available as a generic. You can ask your healthcare provider for more information..
- Type of Drug: Taxane Chemotherapy
- How It’s Given: As an infusion into a vein (intravenous or IV).
- Common Cancers Treated: A wide range of cancers including breast, ovarian, lung, bladder, prostate, and Kaposi’s sarcoma.
About Paclitaxel
- What It Is and What It’s Used For: Paclitaxel is a very effective and widely used chemotherapy drug derived from the bark of the Pacific yew tree. It is a type of chemotherapy known as a “taxane.” It is used to treat many different solid tumours and is often a key component in combination chemotherapy regimens.
- How It Works: Paclitaxel works by interfering with the internal “skeleton” (microtubules) of cancer cells. Normally, this skeleton helps cells divide and grow. Paclitaxel makes this skeleton too rigid and stable, essentially jamming the cell’s internal machinery. This prevents the cancer cells from being able to divide, which causes them to die.
How You Will Receive This Drug
- Your Dosing Schedule: Paclitaxel can be given on different schedules. Common schedules include once every 2 or 3 weeks, or a smaller dose given weekly. The schedule and number of cycles you receive will depend on your specific type of cancer and your treatment plan.
- How It’s Given: You will receive paclitaxel at a hospital or chemotherapy clinic. A nurse will give it to you as an infusion into a vein (IV). The infusion time can vary from 1 to 3 hours, depending on your regimen.
- Important Instructions: Premedication Paclitaxel can cause allergic reactions. To prevent this, you will be given a set of medications before your paclitaxel infusion. This “premedication” is extremely important and typically includes:
- A steroid (like dexamethasone)
- An antihistamine (like diphenhydramine/Benadryl®)
- An acid blocker (like ranitidine or famotidine) You may need to take the steroid pills at home the night before and the morning of your treatment. It is vital that you take these premedications exactly as prescribed.
Possible Side Effects
This drug can cause many side effects. Your healthcare team will monitor you closely. It’s very important to report any new or worsening symptoms to them.
- Most Common Side Effects:
- Hair Loss (Alopecia): Complete and rapid hair loss from your scalp, and often from the rest of your body, is very common. This is temporary, and your hair will grow back after treatment is finished.
- Nerve Pain (Peripheral Neuropathy): You may experience numbness, tingling, burning, or a “pins and needles” feeling in your hands and feet. It is very important to tell your doctor about this as soon as it starts, as they may need to adjust your dose.
- Muscle and Joint Pain (Myalgia/Arthralgia): Aching in your muscles and joints is common, typically starting 2-3 days after the infusion and lasting for a few days. Your doctor can recommend pain relief.
- Low Blood Counts: Paclitaxel suppresses the bone marrow, leading to a low white blood cell count (increasing infection risk), low red blood cell count (causing fatigue), and low platelet count (increasing bleeding risk).
- Nausea and Vomiting: This is usually mild and well-controlled with anti-nausea medication.
- Sore Mouth (Mucositis): You may develop sores in your mouth. Maintain good oral hygiene.
- Less Common but SERIOUS Side Effects:
- Severe Allergic Reaction: Despite premedication, a serious reaction can still occur, usually during the infusion itself. Nurses will monitor you very closely for this.
- Heart Problems: In some cases, paclitaxel can cause a slow heart rate or other changes in heart rhythm, usually during the infusion.
- When to Contact Your Doctor Immediately: Call your doctor or go to an emergency room right away if you experience any of the following:
- Signs of an Allergic Reaction (after leaving the clinic): A severe rash or hives, swelling of the face or throat, or severe difficulty breathing.
- Signs of Infection: Fever over 38°C (100.4°F), chills, sore throat, or a new cough.
- Worsening Nerve Pain: If numbness or tingling in your hands or feet becomes severe, makes it hard to button shirts, or causes you to stumble.
- Signs of Serious Bleeding: Unusual bleeding that won’t stop, significant bruising, or black, tarry stools.
- Severe chest pain or feeling very faint or dizzy.
Important Information to Discuss with Your Doctor
- Before You Start Treatment: It is crucial that you tell your doctor your full medical history. Be sure to mention if you:
- Have ever had an allergic reaction to a medication.
- Have any pre-existing nerve problems (neuropathy).
- Have any heart conditions.
- Have liver problems.
- Are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
- Pregnancy and Contraception: This drug can cause serious harm to an unborn baby.
- Women: You must not become pregnant during this treatment. You must use effective birth control during treatment and for at least 6 months after your final dose.
- Men: You must not father a child during this treatment. You must use effective birth control during treatment and for at least 6 months after your final dose.
- Drug and Food Interactions: Tell your doctor and pharmacist about everything you take, including all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Practical Tips While Taking Paclitaxel
- What to Do If You Miss a Dose: If you miss your scheduled appointment for an infusion, call your doctor’s office as soon as possible to reschedule. If you forget to take your oral premedication pills, call your clinic immediately for instructions before leaving home.
- Storage: This medication is prepared and handled by your healthcare team at the hospital or clinic.
- Follow-Up and Monitoring: You will have regular appointments and frequent blood tests to check your blood counts. Your doctor will ask you about any symptoms of neuropathy at each visit.
Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Team
Don’t hesitate to ask questions. It helps you to be an active partner in your care.
- What is the main goal of this treatment for my cancer?
- What are the instructions for my premedication pills?
- What are the signs of nerve damage I need to watch for?
- What can I take for the muscle and joint pain?
- What is the number to call if I have a problem at night or on the weekend?
- If I am concerned about hair loss, what are my options (e.g., wigs, scalp cooling)?